Pandemic Takes a Bite Out of Restaurants; Diners See 'COVID Surcharge' Appear on Tabs

This photo, posted at Twitter, shows a restaurant receipt with a 'novel' new line item: A 'COVID-19 Surcharge' (Source:'Talia' / Twitter)

The global coronavirus pandemic has caused shortages in some food products, such as meat, which has driven up food prices. At the same time, many businesses have had to shutter in order to slow the spread of the illness. Restaurants that remain in operation in areas where social distancing orders are in effect can't seat customers, so they are hit with still more additional costs for extra supplies related to food takeouts.

What's a businessperson to do?

At least one eatery in Michigan has decided to pass the buck — literally — to the customer, reports local news channel Fox 17.

The news station reports that an establishment called Goog's Pub & Grub now adds a $1 "COVID surcharge" to its orders to help defray the added costs of doing business in a time of pandemic.

Startled customers took to social media to share photos of their receipts, which now, in a sign of the times, bear an additional line item: A "COVID-19 surcharge."